Quoting article:CZ joined SkyTeam in November 2007 (ATW Daily News, Nov. 16, 2007). Xiamen operated a fleet of 71 Boeing aircraft as of April 30 and plans to expand its fleet to more than 130 aircraft by 2015. It operates five international routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and destinations in neighboring Northeast Asian countries.

Signaling its ambition to have greater international reach, Xiamen last month ordered six 787s. It plans to use the Dreamliners, slated for delivery in 2014 and 2015, to launch flights to Europe and the US from its Xiamen base and Fuzhou (ATW Daily News, May 11). Joining SkyTeam is seen as way to further advance its international ambitions.

I think this is a great pickup for Skyteam. It further's their dominance in China and helps with the rest of SE Asia. They have 6 787 on order, so maybe a route from Xiamen to the US one day!

I posted this earlier must have gotten deleted.....Anyway, I think its a great addition. I find it interesting that we have 2 larger subsidiaries now slated to join the alliance with Shanghai entering on the 21st, with parent China Eastern. I wonder if Air one or Austral or any of the other larger non-regional subsidiaries will join the alliance as well.

I think the growth potential for Skyteam is amazing. In two years they have nearly doubled the size of the alliance. And while some on a.netters question the choice of GA and VN over MH, I think the guys at Skyteam are making some great choices. While others were chasing 5* small fleets, Skyteam added the two largest carriers in China.

Now only if only 9W would sign with Skyteam (and maybe VS), the alliance would be set for the future.

This is just great. SkyTeam will have amazing coverage of China. As flying blue member (just symbolic, I don't really have found any usage for it... yet), and a future resident of Xiamen (now just 2 months left), and a Skyteam fan, this is just awesome news for me!

I don't think it will be long time until Chongqing Airlines joins, as they are 60% owned by CZ

Quoting TeamInTheSky (Reply 2):Now only if only 9W would sign with SkyTeam (and maybe VS), the alliance would be set for the future.

I would add G3 (IMO, quite likely) and VA (IMO,not that likely) and then we are talking!

Quoting SomedayTrijet (Reply 3):I don't think it will be long time until Chongqing Airlines joins, as they are 60% owned by CZ

I flatly have no idea what the quality of Chongqing is, but I have heard Xiamen is fairly nice, or at least okay. Xiamen has a fleet of 73 planes with orders for 12 more (including 6 787's). I am not sure that CZ would go to the expense of integrating Chongqing into Skyteam with a fleet of only 7 plans, unless there is a huge plan for growth for Chongqing.

I completely agree about G3.

With VA now signing an agreement with SQ and SQ owning VS, I have no doubt both will join Star if they choose to join an alliance.

Quoting TeamInTheSky (Reply 4):With VA now signing an agreement with SQ and SQ owning VS, I have no doubt both will join Star if they choose to join an alliance.

But hasn't SQ said it want to sell VS? If AF-KL, who often has been mentioned as a possible buyer would buy VS, VS would go to SkyTeam. And don't forget VA has a JV with DL. So I wouldn't totally rule out SkyTeam.

I believe Gol has publicly indicated that they are happy to pursue individual codeshare and mileage agreements with different airlines from different countries/regions. Therefore, I am not sure they are seeking alliance membership now.

Quoting EddieDude (Reply 7):I believe Gol has publicly indicated that they are happy to pursue individual codeshare and mileage agreements with different airlines from different countries/regions. Therefore, I am not sure they are seeking alliance membership now.

How many coaches have you seem on a podium and say that they were not switching teams, and two days later they are wearing a different jersey. Gol might not want an alliance, but they are about to compete with a LAN/TAM group that will control all of South America. My guess is they are waiting on those two to choose which alliance they go with and then let Skyteam and the other alliance fight it out for them.

Quoting SomedayTrijet (Reply 6):But hasn't SQ said it want to sell VS? If AF-KL, who often has been mentioned as a possible buyer would buy VS, VS would go to SkyTeam. And don't forget VA has a JV with DL. So I wouldn't totally rule out SkyTeam

SQ has sent very mixed signals about VS over the past several weeks. They have hired some investment group to look into their possible sale of the 49% stake and then they sign an agreement with a different Virgin airline. However, like many recent articles on anet have suggested that VS is not the airline it was and might not be the target we all think it should be. It will be interesting to see where the chips fall.

I will say this though. With MU and CZ (along with subs), Skyteam will be the dominate alliance in the world's largest Market.

It's a nice addition for KLM, as they started flying AMS-XMN this year. Xiamen Airlines can offer a good number of new connecting opportunities.

Quoting EddieDude (Reply 7):I believe Gol has publicly indicated that they are happy to pursue individual codeshare and mileage agreements with different airlines from different countries/regions.

Gol will not make any choice before it's clear what LATAM will do.

G3 is in a nice position when it comes to offering access to the Brazilian domestic market. If you want access to Brazilian destinations, you can effectively only choose between JJ and G3 to cooperate with. Now all alliances have airlines requiring a decent Brazilian partner. Now if JJ/LA would choose StarAlliance and cancel partnerships with non-Star airlines, G3 can get all connecting passengers from AA, BA, IB, DL, AF, KL, AZ. And if JJ/LA chooses OneWorld, G3 basically gets all connecting pax from UA/CO, LH, LX 'for free'.

Additionally, G3 does not operate their own long-haul network and so they don't need a partner airline in the US or Europe, so they can just make full use of their position.

Quoting LJ (Reply 10):Isn't Avianca setting up its own subsidiary in Brazil

Ocean Air. It is not really a subsidiary of the Avianca-TACA group, but rather an affiliate. It is also owned directly or indirectly by G. Efromovich, one of the controlling shareholders of the AV-TA group. It will rebrand or has already rebranded to Avianca Brasil but I do not think it will be part of Star. At least not initially.

I completely agree. I know oneWorld is going to sign HU eventually, and Star has CA and it's awesome base in PEK, but Skyteam has really sealed the deal in China and will probably be the dominate alliance for the next decade or more.